Trails to the past

Free admission

Located on the southern boundary of the town of Hamilton in the heart of South Lanarkshire, Chatelherault Country Park hosts over 500 acres of stunning countryside where the river Avon meanders through a beautiful woodland gorge on its way to join the river Clyde. Built over 250 years ago and the key feature to the park is the 18th century hunting lodge and summer house to the former Dukes of Hamilton now home to the venues Visitor Centre.

Designed by the famous Scottish architect William Adam, the hunting lodge was built on the eye catching hill top location at the south end of the former Hamilton Palace Grand Avenue, an avenue of trees that ran from the palace as part of the “Great Design” a grandeur landscape which was planned by the Duchess Anne.

The Hunting LodgeCommissioned by James 5th Duke and Grandson of Duchess Anne in 1732, the hunting lodge and kennels were completed in 1744, and as the location suggests it was built to deceive as it’s shear grandeur gave the impression of an additional

palace on the southern end of the grand avenue. The Palace and Chatelherault both fell victim to coal mining subsidence, with the Palace eventually being demolished in the early 1920’s.

Chatelherault however survived as a ruin until 1979 when it was restored by Historic Scotland and the former Hamilton District Council, and in 1987 the buildings, courtyard, and gardens around them were opened to the public.

Now a five star Visitor attraction containing a gift shop, café, heritage exhibition, and display gallery, the facility also caters for weddings, conferences, and large open air events.

Chatelherault Country Park holds many historic attributes, such as Cadzow Castle, The Dukes Bridge, The Ancient Oaks Meadow, The Dukes Monument and The famous White Cattle.

Chatelherault also provides a wealth of services, events, competitions and full activities programme which has something for everyone all year round.

Welcome to Chatelherault Country Park and Visitor Centre

Choose your walkFeel close to nature with over 10 miles of stunning woodland and gorge trails which follow the course of the river Avon from Hamilton to Larkhall.

All the official trails listed below start from the information point at the entrance to the Visitor Centre.

Quick trail guide

Trail DistanceTime

Average calories

Elevation gain and equivalent

in stairsGentle pace Fast pace

The Green Bridge

5m 8km 2 Hrs 50min 1hr

40min 500 690ft = 1,000 stairs

Cadzow Oaks*

0.5m 0.8km 17 min 10 min 50 100ft =

145 stairs

The Deer Park/hunts

1.4m 2.3km 45 min 30 min 140 138ft =

200 stairs

Hoolet Row 2.2m 3.5km 1hr 15 min 50 min 220 385ft =

560 stairs

Mineral Railway

2m 3.2km 1hr 10m 40 min 200 282 =

410 stairs

Monument* 1.3m 2.1km 45 min 30min 140 190 =

275 stairs

* Cadzow Oaks and Monuments trails are linear and times and distance are one way.

Adventure playgroundA totally integrated playground that has equipment to suit all age groups. From toddler to teenager this play facility has equipment to challenge and stimulate both the physical and mental abilities of all children.

The Green Bridge Trail

From the Visitor Centre, heading on a south, south easterly direction along the edge of Rickarton golf course, the trail follows a line across the top of the Avon gorge.

After approximately 3km the trail descends steeply down the winding steps to the green bridge.

Once over the timber constructed bridge, the path takes a gradual climb where at the summit; there is a beautiful view of the Avon gorge below.

Now following the west side of the gorge, the trail meanders through the broad leaved woodland and past the old White Bridge, which is currently closed to access for health and safety reasons, then continuing on through Divoty Glen towards the site of the ancient Oaks, and Iron Age earthworks.

Now nearing the end of the walk, the trail heads past the remains of Cadzow Castle and down over the Dukes Bridge up a gradual climb and back to the Visitor Centre.

The Cadzow Oaks Trail

The Cadzow Oaks Trail takes you from the Visitor Centre along the front of the Hunting Lodge, and past the function car park.

From here you descend down the steps adjacent to the sandstone quarry, where stone for the Hunting Lodge was originally cut by the Duke’s master stonemason, Robert Mein.

Remains of the quarry stone can be seen here along the path edge.

The trail then takes you west and down over the Dukes Bridge which stands 80ft high across the Avon gorge.

The path then heads up to the remains of Cadzow Castle built in the early 15th century and home to the former Dukes prior to the building of Hamilton Palace.

Continuing heading westward the trail reaches the site of the Iron Age earthworks, where stand the famous ancient oaks some of which have been dated to over 500 years old.

The trail returns to the Visitor Centre by the same route.

The Deer Park Trail

The Deer Park trail heads north from the front of the Visitor Centre following the Grand Avenue across the former deer park, where you may see some of the famous White Cadzow

Cattle, a rare breed of cattle which roamed the ancient Oaks meadow since the 1500’s and are said to be some of the

few remaining survivors of the wild cattle indigenous to Britain.

The path then takes a westerly direction on to the path known as the Huntsman’s Ride which cuts across the open fields before turning south through the ash and hazel coppice.

The path continues to head back towards the Visitor Centre brining you out at the site of the old Quarry and function car park.

The Hoolet Row Trail

From the Visitor Centre, the Hoolet Row trail follows a southerly direction along the east bank of the river passing through a variety of woodland types.

Reaching the riverside beaches you will discover the ruins of Hoolet’s Row the remnants of what were once miners cottages.

The trail then turns left up the Clay Bank steps, a steep climb to the top of the gorge where you head left along the golf course path back towards the Visitor Centre.

The Mineral Railway Trail

Heading from the Visitor Centre, the trail follows the forest road for approximately 40 yards before turning left heading south down towards Hoolet Row.

As the path reaches the gorge floor the trail turns sharp right following the course of the river and under the Dukes Bridge, where you ascend the metal steps and follow the trail to the old Avon Bridge.

From the Avon Bridge follow the tar road for 100 yds, then the trail turns southeast and connects to the deer park path passing the Wham Pond on your left and on back to the Hunting Lodge.

The Monument Trail

From the Visitor Centre the Monument trail heads down and over the Dukes Bridge. Keep right and follow the road through the ruins of Cadzow Castle, up to the cattle grid junction.

From here you turn right and follow the path which borders the famous Oak meadow on your left.

The trail continues to head through the coniferous woodland until it branches off left and meets the Barncluith road a tar surfaced roadway which brings you to the Dukes Monument.

This structure was constructed to commemorate William Alexander 11th Duke of Hamilton who died in 1863. The trail then returns to the visitor centre by the same route.

Monument Trail

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Play Area

Grassland

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Mineral Railway Trail

Hoolet Row Trail

The Green Bridge Trail

The Deer Park Trail

Cadzow Oaks Trail

Avon Walkway

MainEntranceCar Park

AdventurePlayground

VisitorCentre

Car Park

Function

CadzowCastle(ruins)

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Coach Park

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OldQuarry

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© Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved 100020730.

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved 100020730.

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Fairholm Bridge

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Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code

Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsibly• takeresponsibilityforyour own actions• respecttheinterestsofother people• carefortheenvironment.

Reproduction by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100020730.

Useful information•Leaflets are available from Reception

with information on events programmes, detailing talks, tours and activities happening within the country park.

•Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions.

•Wet or cold weather may make the trails slippery. Contact Reception for advice.

•Free parking is available, with reserved parking for badge holders.

•Cyclists are welcome and should use the paths responsibly and in accordance with the Outdoor Access Code.

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone: 01698 476202 Email: maggi.archibald@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk

www.slleisureandculture.co.ukProduced for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Limited by South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. 558/Sep12South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Limited is a recognised Scottish Charity, No. SCO32549

Chatelherault opening timesThe Lodge House, Visitor Centre and café are open daily throughout the year, except Christmas and New Year public holidays. The West Lodge may be closed on Friday’s and Saturday’s due to formal bookings. Contact reception for confirmation.

Reception - phone: 01698 426213 Monday - Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

Oaks Café Monday - Sunday: 10.00am - 5.00pm

The Country Park itself is open from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

How to get thereThe entrance to the country park is within the village of Fernigair, 2.5 km south east of Hamilton on the A72 Hamilton, Larkhall / Lanark, Clyde Valley tourist route.

The park is also accessible by train with daily half hour service stopping at Chatelherault Station on the Hamilton, Larkhall line.

For further informationFor further information on Chatelherault Country Park please refer to our website www.slleisureandculture.co.uk and the Outdoor and Active section.

or contact

Chatelherault Country Park Ferniegair, Hamilton ML3 7UE Phone 01698 426213 Fax 01698 427741email: chatelheraultcountrypark@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk

A724to Blantyre

B7071to Bothwell A723

to Motherwell

M74 Junction 5

M74 Junction 6

Chatelherault Country Park

M74

B7078to Larkhall

A72 to Lanark

A72

Train station

All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100020730.